NAU assistant coach Jeff Lewis dies at 39

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Northern Arizona assistant coach Jeff Lewis, a former Lumberjacks quarterback who played for Denver and Carolina in the NFL, died Saturday. He was 39.

Northern Arizona confirmed Lewis’ death. The school didn’t provide a cause of death, saying only that Lewis died Saturday in Phoenix.

Lewis was Northern Arizona’s wide receivers coach. As a player at the school from 1992-95, Lewis completed 785 of 1,315 passes for 9,639 yards and 67 touchdowns. He was inducted into the NAU Hall of Fame in 2003.

“Today is a very sad day for the Lumberjack football family,” Northern Arizona coach Jerome Souers said. “Jeff was one of the best Lumberjacks of all time and a valuable member of our program.”

Lewis appeared in five games for the Broncos in 1996-98 and seven with the Panthers in 1999-2000. He completed 28 of 54 attempts for 210 yards and threw two interceptions.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of former Broncos quarterback Jeff Lewis,” the Broncos said in a statement. ”Our most heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to Jeff’s family and friends.”

Lewis also coached three seasons at Louisville, serving as an offensive administration assistant in 2007 and 2008 and wide receivers coach in 2009.